Leslie Bassett (1923- 2016) was a Pulitzer Prize winning American composer of classical music, and the University of Michigan’s Albert A. Stanley Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Composition. His wife, Anita Denniston Bassett (1923-2016), pianist, organist, author, painter, film and stage actress, and composer who studied with Nadia Boulanger at the Paris Conservatoire de Musique. Anita was also a leader in the Ann Arbor Society for Musical Arts concert series and performed in JazzElegance, a trio (Anita; Charlotte Owen, clarinet; and Doris Kraushaar, voice) specializing in 1940s music. She was a long-time member of the Ann Arbor Alumni Chapter.

Leslie ’s works were commissioned by the Ann Arbor Alumni Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon in memory of Past Chapter President Carol Hodge Doss. These works were initially premiered at Barton Hills Country Club, Ann Arbor, Michigan, on May 20, 2000 and subsequently performed at the Centennial Convention of Mu Phi Epsilon in Cincinnati on August 8, 2003.”

In 2015, the Ann Arbor Alumni chapter received the Helen Haupt Alumni Chapter Project Grant from the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation which enabled the chapter to complete this project.

“The music of Anita Bassett reflects her creativity as an actress, accomplished musician and superb watercolor artist.
Leslie Bassett’s music has its own place in history. In his own words: ‘I want people to like my music. I want them to be moved by it, I mean REALLY moved. So that it brings tears to the eyes . . or however one feels when moved by music. We know it happens once in a while and I want it to happen . . .’

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The following Review of the CD was featured in the Spring 2016 issue of the Mu Phi Epsilon Fraternity’s “Triangle” Magazine – page 11,
also available as a .pdf .

Mu-Phi-Spring-2016-Triangle-page-11.pdf

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CD’s are $10 each; checks should be made payable to “Mu Phi Epsilon – Ann Arbor”
– PRE-PAID ORDERS ONLY –

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CD’s are $10 each; checks should be made payable to “Mu Phi Epsilon – Ann Arbor” – PRE-PAID ORDERS ONLY –

CD’s are $10 each; checks should be made payable to “Mu Phi Epsilon – Ann Arbor”
– PRE-PAID ORDERS ONLY –